Norbert Dentressangle reports steady growth

Norbert Dentressangle has reported “steady growth and improved profitability” across all its business divisions in its half-year results released at the end of July.

First half 2014 revenues were up by 13.4% to $2,191 million, whilst the group’s earnings, before the deduction of interest, tax and expenses (EBITA), were up by 19% to $65.5 million. This produced an operating margin of 3.0% compared to 2.9% in the previous period.

Commenting on the results, Norbert Dentressangle’s CEO, Hervé Montjotin, said: “The first half of 2014 took place in a European economic environment which was boosted by growth in the UK economy and recovery in Spain. Against this backdrop, and despite flat activity in France, Norbert Dentressangle capitalised on its ever expanding global footprint and its positioning within buoyant sectors. Not only did we achieve revenue growth of 13.4% compared to the first half of 2013, but – and this is more important – we generated EBITA growth of over 19% for the same period.

“Our three business lines – logistics, transport and air & sea – are all well on course in terms of growth and profitability, in accordance with our expectations.”
The share of revenues generated outside France amounted to 61%, while the UK, the second largest contributor to group revenues, accounted for nearly 30% of total sales for the period.

The transport division posted first half 2014 revenues of €1,067 million, up 5.6% from the same period in 2013 and up 4.1% like for like. During the period, Norbert Dentressangle reinforced its position in the UK bulk tanker transport market with the acquisition of Hopkinson, a company with annual revenues of around £4 million.
With more than 14,700 employees across 195 sites, 1,700 vehicles, and around 3.5 million sq.m of warehousing, Norbert Dentressangle is one of the UK’s largest transport and logistics companies.